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A virtual reality combat jacket that allows computer game players to feel their on-screen characters being shot and punched is to be launched this week.
# Xbox 360 price cut as Microsoft chases casual gamers
The 3rd Space vest uses air pressure to deliver pneumatic jolts to players' torsos to simulate sensations experienced by game characters such as recoil from weapons, jolts from jumping and bullet impacts.
It is part of a trend for games developers to increasingly use physical touch and movement to make gaming experiences more realistic reflected in the success of the Nintendo Wii, which involves a remote control that transmits a player's movements to a screen.
Dr Mark Ombrellaro, a vascular surgeon from Bellevue, Washington, adapted the jacket from a more sophisticated medical version he created to allow doctors to carry out long distance examinations on patients in prison or in isolated rural communities via the internet.
Dr Ombrellaro said: "This is unlike anything that's been out there before. Everybody is looking for the latest immersive experience, to be really engaged with content.
"Audio and visual graphics are of course excellent mediums, but we have five senses and in computer games we are only really using two of them. Here we are making use of a third sensory dimension.
"It's a way for game designers and players to taking gaming to the next level. It provides a way for reality and virtual reality to interact.
"If you watch people playing with the vest they physically flinch to get away from enemies, and get into the game in a way they have never done before."
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The 3rd Space vest delivers up to 5lbs of force to the torso via eight pneumatic impact cells linked to tiny air pistons - four on the front of the body and four on the back - which inflate at different positions and speed according to the action being simulated in the game. It will go on sale this week for £129 bundled with two games including Call of Duty II.
The jacket is available in black, grey camouflage and pink. At present it is only compatible with certain PC games, such as Unreal Tournament, Halflife 2, Medal of Airborne, Quake 4 and Doom 3, however Dr Ombrellaro is in discussions with the makers of the major games consoles.
Dr Ombrellaro's company TouchNetworks is also planning virtual reality helmets, long-sleeved tops and trousers. He is also working on models that imitate the forces involved in driving and flight simulation games.
Guy Cocker, a journalist on the GameSpot UK website, said: "Games have become more and more realistic in terms of graphics and sound. But gamers will always want more immersive experiences.
"I haven't tried this particular product. Whether it is successful may depend on whether its creators can get the support of major developers so that new games are specifically programmed to make the experience genuinely more realistic."
This is ridiculous. We seriously are getting close to PBF territory now..
It will go on sale this week for £129 bundled with two games including Call of Duty II.
The jacket is available in black, grey camouflage and pink. At present it is only compatible with certain PC games, such as Unreal Tournament, Halflife 2, Medal of Airborne, Quake 4 and Doom 3, however Dr Ombrellaro is in discussions with the makers of the major games consoles.
There's a whole bunch of videos on YouTube of people trying it out a CES - search for 3rd Space.
The only people that actually seem to be retailing them are TN Games themselves via their website, though. So basically it will fail at retail. If not because the idea of getting punched repeatedly in the chest is undesirable to begin with, then because their retail and marketing is weak sauce.
Also, they don't have the pink one on their website so the girls won't buy one (or me).
Szechuanosaurus on
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drunkenpandarenSlapping all the goblin hamIn the top laneRegistered Userregular
Why would anyone want to buy this? If I could do so for free, I'd probably try it, but no way would I buy it.
The only interesting use for something like this would be for horror genre games. Combine a physical sensation with the aural and visual scares. I know I'd shit my pants.
Why did they have to make it a big, bulky, stupid looking camo-jacket? Couldn't they make it just a few straps, that's less intrusive, and you can just put it on over a t-shirt?
Why did they have to make it a big, bulky, stupid looking camo-jacket? Couldn't they make it just a few straps, that's less intrusive, and you can just put it on over a t-shirt?
Why would anyone want to buy this? If I could do so for free, I'd probably try it, but no way would I buy it.
The only interesting use for something like this would be for horror genre games. Combine a physical sensation with the aural and visual scares. I know I'd shit my pants.
Why did they have to make it a big, bulky, stupid looking camo-jacket? Couldn't they make it just a few straps, that's less intrusive, and you can just put it on over a t-shirt?
I don't think you understand who this is for.
There's a big market for gear to help you blend in the rough jungle wilds between the couch and the fridge.
I think I'd rather just buy one of those super chairs with the subwoofer and speakers built in. And a mini fridge in the armrest.
The Wolfman on
"The sausage of Green Earth explodes with flavor like the cannon of culinary delight."
Why did they have to make it a big, bulky, stupid looking camo-jacket? Couldn't they make it just a few straps, that's less intrusive, and you can just put it on over a t-shirt?
I don't think you understand who this is for.
There's a big market for gear to help you blend in the rough jungle wilds between the couch and the fridge.
I think I'd rather just buy one of those super chairs with the subwoofer and speakers built in. And a mini fridge in the armrest.
You can make your own rumble chair with a bass shaker and an amplifier. It can really complement your subwoofer.
There is also a rumble helmet in this video. I'm not sure that's such a good idea.
One of the most annoying things in computer games is when you are being shot or hit and can't fight back because your character is stuck in a recoil animation. At least during that period I can drink some coffee. If I'm being slung around the living room at the same time? Not so much.
Szechuanosaurus on
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RoshinMy backlog can be seen from spaceSwedenRegistered Userregular
A better product would be a chair with a screen mounted in front of it for racing games. as you accelerate, the chair would slowly and slightly tilt backwards to give you the sensation of speed.
Of course, that's just as feasible as this thing becoming a smash hit, but at least it'd be way cooler than this.
The prosecution asserts that this shit is off the hook!
Anyhow, I think this would be a fantastic item for child-rearing. We could completely do away with physical beatings with belts, hangars, shoes, spoons etc. Misbehave? Get shot!
A better product would be a chair with a screen mounted in front of it for racing games. as you accelerate, the chair would slowly and slightly tilt backwards to give you the sensation of speed.
Of course, that's just as feasible as this thing becoming a smash hit, but at least it'd be way cooler than this.
There are a bunch of different race chairs available now, ranging from ~$1k to $50k. You can get non moving chassis for ~200$ as well.
Can't wait till they make one that can simulate burning for TF2...
I want a jacket that says "Need a teleporter here!" nonstop 24/7. Then I can concentrate on jumping through the air while swinging a baseball bat wildly.
That PBF comic is exactly what I thought of when I read the thread title.
TVs_Frank on
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RoshinMy backlog can be seen from spaceSwedenRegistered Userregular
edited March 2008
I wonder how long it will take before the first lawsuit hits them, ie "This vest broke my little Rodney's ribs!", "It malfunctioned and electrocuted my baby!", etc.
The only interesting use for something like this would be for horror genre games. Combine a physical sensation with the aural and visual scares. I know I'd shit my pants.
I'd shit my pants with you. That would be pant-shitacular. Pant-shitastic.
I demo'd this at QuakeCon. It's an interesting concept in that you can feel the direction you're being shot from and it helps pinpoint enemies.
The problem?
The one I demo'd had a huge air compressor hooked up to it sitting on the floor which was then plugged into a wall. It wasnt loud, but you could hear it and I had air tubes running to my body...
Posts
Bolded for what the fuck lols.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Nonsense!
The only people that actually seem to be retailing them are TN Games themselves via their website, though. So basically it will fail at retail. If not because the idea of getting punched repeatedly in the chest is undesirable to begin with, then because their retail and marketing is weak sauce.
Also, they don't have the pink one on their website so the girls won't buy one (or me).
Steam: pandas_gota_gun
Panels 5 and 6?
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
@gamefacts - Totally and utterly true gaming facts on the regular!
I'm imagining full-body Dual shock feedback rumbling and feeling mildly sick.
http://www.amazon.com/TN-Games-Space-Gaming-Vest/dp/B000YC3BFU/ref=sr_1_312?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1205249755&sr=1-312
Pretty much. Except it was extraordinarily weak.
@gamefacts - Totally and utterly true gaming facts on the regular!
What if.
This will be here until I receive an apology or Weedlordvegeta get any consequences for being a bully
Far, far, FAR too many to make this product even semi-viable.
One of my friends had this. He thought it was going to be all high tech, sort of like the OP's article.
Nope, it's just a subwoofer that straps on your back. I think we tried it once and never touched it again.
I picture it like being pushed around by an irate bee. Maybe he brings a friend if you happen to be stood in front of a chaingun.
The only interesting use for something like this would be for horror genre games. Combine a physical sensation with the aural and visual scares. I know I'd shit my pants.
I don't think you understand who this is for.
Holy shit. That would be amazing!
There's a big market for gear to help you blend in the rough jungle wilds between the couch and the fridge.
I think I'd rather just buy one of those super chairs with the subwoofer and speakers built in. And a mini fridge in the armrest.
There is also a rumble helmet in this video. I'm not sure that's such a good idea.
Head, hands, arms, legs, feet, arse... If they're going to do this, then at least do it properly.
Of course, that's just as feasible as this thing becoming a smash hit, but at least it'd be way cooler than this.
I can see it already.
Anyhow, I think this would be a fantastic item for child-rearing. We could completely do away with physical beatings with belts, hangars, shoes, spoons etc. Misbehave? Get shot!
There are a bunch of different race chairs available now, ranging from ~$1k to $50k. You can get non moving chassis for ~200$ as well.
I want a jacket that says "Need a teleporter here!" nonstop 24/7. Then I can concentrate on jumping through the air while swinging a baseball bat wildly.
That PBF comic is exactly what I thought of when I read the thread title.
Fixed that for ya.
I'd shit my pants with you. That would be pant-shitacular. Pant-shitastic.
Now if only we had smell-o-vision.
The problem?
The one I demo'd had a huge air compressor hooked up to it sitting on the floor which was then plugged into a wall. It wasnt loud, but you could hear it and I had air tubes running to my body...